She was in over her head. And most everyone who follows state government knew it. Monica Tibbits-Nutt resigned yesterday as secretary of the state Department of Transportation, after a number of embarrassing and head-scratching controversies, including Plaza-gate. How bad was she? Ten months ago, Bruce Mohl at the Globe was describing her as a “timid shell of a Cabinet secretary at a time when a strong leader is needed.” And in the Globe’s news section Shannon Larson was reporting on her apparent tendency to curl up in a fetal position during key policy-making moments. … Needless to say, Tibbits-Nutt was increasingly becoming a political liability to Gov. Healey – and had to go.

Update — 10.21.25 – From the Globe: “Departing transportation secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt said it was time to leave her ‘dream job’”